Distance learning system

ABSTRACT

A remote response system utilizes portable response devices that receive user input and transmit user input over existing communication systems. Certain response devices communicate over wireless systems such as paging systems, while other response devices communicate over plain old telephone systems by sending data bursts or by dialing different, established telephone numbers. A user of a remote response device can communicate with a presenter of programming that is broadcast over audio/visual mediums in real time without requiring a personal computer.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/222,673 filed, Aug. 3, 2000, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to novel methods andsystems for obtaining real time responses to remote programming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Remote learning and other remote response systems allow abroadcaster, such as a teacher or a game show host, to communicate witha large audience that is remote in time and/or distance from thebroadcaster. Current remote response systems that allow a geographicallydiverse audience to communicate with a broadcaster are centered aroundcomputer systems that utilize the world wide web. Other remote responsesystems provide feedback communication from an audience that is sittingin the same room as the broadcaster utilizing infrared, hard-wiredconnections, or radio signals. Such systems operate using wirelessand/or wired technology that sends signals to a receiver within theroom, which in turn displays the responses to the broadcaster.

[0004] Drawbacks to the existing technology for remote response systemsinclude the required expense of a computer device, such as a personalcomputer, for each student at a remote location; or the limited range ofthe wireless/wired technology employed. Requiring a computer device foreach student often requires a classroom equipped with computers, and aneed for at least some students to assemble in such a classroom. Theneed for a building and personal computers increases the overall costand expense of the remote response system. Remote response systems thatoperate within a small space, such as a broadcasting studio, are limitedto use in situations where audience members can all gather in the smallspace.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for enabling real time responsesfrom geographically remote locations to a broadcast, while the broadcastis being created. There is also a need to eliminate the requirement forresponding persons to gather at one place. There is also a need toeliminate the necessity of a personal computer and an internetconnection for each person who wants to respond to the broadcast.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method that allows persons viewing or listening to a broadcast torespond to the broadcast in real time without requiring a personalcomputer.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to incorporateviewer and/or listener responses as part of the program while thebroadcast is being created.

[0008] To accomplish the above and other objects, the present inventionprovides a response device for each person who is listening to/viewing aprogram. The response device contains an input mechanism so that a usermay input data, and then transmit the data over a standard communicationsystem. The data is collected at a central location where a computersystem processes the data according to which programming the datarelates to. For example, when a user responds to a question on aprogram, the user inputs the user's response and a program code into theresponse device. When the user's response is received at a centrallocation (for example, where the broadcast originates) via thecommunication system, a computer system processes the response data. Forexample, a program code included in the response data is used to routethe response to the presenter of a particular program. Besides routingraw response data, the computer system at the central location mayprocess the data further by collating data, summarizing data, analyzing,filtering, and performing other known data processing techniques.

[0009] Once the response data has been sent to the presenter of theprogram, the presenter of the program is able to view the responses on adisplay. This allows the program presenter to respond to audiencemembers' questions and answers, and also allows the program presenter tomodify the content of the program as needed to meet the needs of theaudience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 depicts a processing flow for responding to a broadcastaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 depicts a response device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention having a limited keypad.

[0012]FIG. 3 depicts a response device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention having a full keypad.

[0013]FIG. 4 depicts a schematic system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the processing flow of an exemplaryembodiment according to the present invention is discussed. At step 100a presenter delivers programming content. For example, the presentergives an educational lecture, directs a game show, gives instructionregarding how to make/prepare an item, or other content that audiencemembers can receive via audio and/or visual communications systems andinteract with. The present invention applies to situations when onepresenter is delivering one program and to situations where manypresenters are presenting many programs at the same time or at staggeredtimes. As each presenter delivers programming, the programming isbroadcast at step 110 utilizing well-known communications systems 400.For example, the programming is broadcast live over radio waves,television, the internet, satellite communications, and other well-knownvideo/audio communication mediums 400. The programming may also bedelayed, for example on previously recorded tape, before it isbroadcast.

[0015] At step 120 audience members receive the programming. Because theprogramming is broadcast over conventional communications mediums 400,it is easy for audience members to have ready access to the programming.Utilizing conventional communications mediums 400 also allows audiencemembers to be geographically diverse from one another without requiringeach individual audience member to purchase expensive equipment, such asa personal computer, to receive the programming and to respond to theprogramming. Additionally, audience members do not need to gathertogether as required by existing systems and methods.

[0016] Because each individual audience member does not require apersonal computer, there is no need to construct facilities and providecomputer equipment in order for audience members to receive theprogramming and to respond to the programming. Eliminating the need toconstruct buildings and provide computer equipment for the audiencereduces the overall cost of establishing and operating the system of thepresent invention. The present invention also provides each audiencemember the flexibility of staying at home or gathering with otheraudience members, depending upon individual audience members'preferences.

[0017] During step 120, while the audience is receiving the programming,a presenter will solicit a response or an audience member may needclarification on something the presenter has delivered. At this point anindividual audience member inputs the member's response/question intothe response device 410. Inputting a response into the response device410 is described in detail, infra.

[0018] At step 130, an individual audience member responds to theprogramming by transmitting the audience member's response data to acentral location 420. In accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, the response data includes the audience member's actualresponse/question, an identifier (the identifier can identify theindividual response device or can be an identifier input by the audiencemember if several audience members are utilizing the same responsedevice), and a program code. The program code is used to correlateresponse data to a particular program. Such program codes allow manydifferent programs to be broadcast simultaneously and have responsessent in to each program simultaneously, as described in detail, infra.

[0019] When an audience member presses a send key on the responsedevice, a transmission is made over a communication system 430, incertain embodiments a two-way paging network. Utilizing a paging networkhas several advantages that provide low cost and flexibility of use forthe present invention. Such advantages include use of existingtechnology, (paging systems have been constructed and are already inplace in many locations throughout the world) paging systems arerelatively inexpensive to use, and paging systems do not requireaudience members to be in one location in order to transmit responsesback to a central location 420 where programming originates. One-waypaging networks are used with other embodiments of the presentinvention. In addition to allowing an audience member to respond toprogramming, a two-way paging network permits a direct response to aparticular audience member by the program presenter or by an assistantto the program presenter.

[0020] In other embodiments of the present invention, transmission ofresponse data at step 130 is made over communication system 430, whichcomprises telephone lines and equipment. One type of response device 410calls a specific telephone number that corresponds to a specificresponse for a specific program. For example, several toll free numbersare established for each response to each question for a program. Apresenter asks the first question, for example a true/false question, towhich audience members respond. Each audience member responds byselecting either “true” or “false” and the send key. When a responsedevice has “true” selected, the response device calls a particular tollfree number. When a response device has “false” selected, the responsedevice calls a different, particular toll free number. In such a manner,each audience member's response, either true or false, is recorded forthe first question. The presenter may then ask the second question, forexample a multiple choice question. Each audience member responds byselecting a multiple choice answer. Each of the multiple choice answerscalls a different toll free number, thus indicating the response foreach audience member. Other arrangements of questions, answer choices,and telephone numbers are within the scope of the present invention aswill be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0021] In order for a response device that calls different telephonenumbers to obtain the program code for the program that the user islistening to/watching, the user logs-in to the central data locationusing a login key. For example, the user presses the login key (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) to place a call to the central location. When the user'scall is answered, data is sent over the telephone lines asking whichprogram the user is receiving, e.g., the central location may ask theuser to respond true/false (or yes/no) to a series of programs. When theuser positively responds to a program, the program code and associatedtelephone numbers to call for each answer choice are downloaded onto theresponse device 410. Answer choice telephone numbers may have aone-to-one correspondence, i.e., each answer choice for each questionhas a different telephone number. Answer choice telephone numbers mayalso be arranged by type, i.e., a telephone number for “true,” atelephone number for “false,” a telephone number for multiple choiceanswer “A,” and et cetera. For example, when answer choice telephonenumbers are arranged by type, a timing system, such as a set time periodfor replying to a particular question, can be used to distinguish aresponse to one question indicating “true” from a response to anotherquestion indicating “true.” As will be recognized by one of ordinaryskill in the art, many arrangements for associating telephone numberswith response choices are possible and within the scope of the presentinvention.

[0022] Once such a response device 410 calling different telephonenumbers is logged-in to the system at the central location 420, a callfrom such a response device 410 does not actually have to be answered,but merely recorded that the call was placed. The fact that the call wasplaced indicates the user's response, and an automatic numberidentification system, or caller identification, where available, isused to indicate which audience member called in the response. Thus, apresenter who is giving a quiz, or test, for example, knows eachindividual audience member's answers and can accurately grade eachindividual audience member's score for the quiz/test.

[0023] Another response device 410 according to another embodiment ofthe present invention calls a telephone number at the central location420 and sends a short data burst over telephone wires. Such a data burstsent over the telephone wires is similar in content to a data burst sentover a paging system.

[0024] At step 140 response data from audience members is collected at acentral location 420. When response data is collected from a pagingnetwork, or from a data burst sent over telephone lines, the programcode included in the response data indicates which particular programeach particular response is related to. When the response data iscollected at the central location that originates from the specificresponse telephone numbers for each particular program, the responsetelephone number that was called is the indication used to associate theresponse with a particular program.

[0025] As described above, data bursts contain at least an identifier.For an individual who owns and uses a single response device, theidentifier of the response device (such as a serial number for example)is automatically included with the user's responses. Inclusion of theuser's response device identifier serves to identify the user—so thatthe user's responses can be recorded and associated with the user. Sincethe device identifier serves to identify the user, the device identifiercan also be associated with contact information (such as a telephonenumber, or e-mail address, etc. established as part of a user's accountat the central location when the user registers to use the remoteresponse system). This contact information permits the presenter, orsomeone working with the presenter, to reply to the user's question onan individualized, personal basis.

[0026] When a response device that sends data bursts is used by severalusers, each user inputs a user identifier that identifies eachparticular user when responding to programming. Such user inputidentifiers provide the same functionality as described above, withoutrequiring each user to own a response device. When a response deviceresponds by calling different telephone numbers, instead of sending adata burst over telephone lines, a paging system, or other wirelessnetwork, the automatic number identification, or caller identification,serves to identify the response device, which in turn identifies theuser.

[0027] The response data is then processed at step 150. For example, theresponse data is processed according to what particular program theresponse data is related to based upon a program code, or specifictelephone number called by the response device, and the raw responsedata is then routed to the presenter of each program. Because theresponse data is collected in a computer system, processing of theresponse data can be much more complex. For example, the response datamay be processed to categorize the responses, summarize the responses,prioritize the responses, associate like responses with one another, andetc., utilizing simple sort routines, artificial intelligence software,or other information processing techniques. The processed response datais then sent to each presenter of each program at step 160 where thepresenter of each program is able to view the response data. If theprogramming is being presented live as the responses are sent in, theprogram presenter can incorporate the responses into the programming andmodify the programming to meet the audiences' needs.

Response Device Input Capabilities

[0028] Depending upon the input capabilities available for a particularresponse device, other data such as a user's name and address isincluded with the response data. The functionality of the inputcapability of a particular response device governs how much responsedata may be transmitted from a particular response device. Referring toFIG. 2 for example, embodiments of the present invention have a limitedkey pad 205 on the response device 200. A limited key pad 205 forexample, may contain only a few keys such as a true key 210, a false key215, a login key 220, several keys 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, that areeither marked alphabetically or numerically for responding to multiplechoice questions, numeric keys 250, a clear key 255, a flag key 260 (forindicating a user is confused or needs more explanation without posing aquestion to the broadcaster), a question key 265, and a send key 270. Oncertain embodiments blank keys 275 are provided to allow additionalfunctionality for the response device 200. Response data from such aresponse device 200 containing a limited key pad 205 is thereforelimited to the choices available to the user presented by the key pad205. Key pads on a response device range from a limited key pad 205 to afull alpha numeric key pad 305 (FIG. 3) that allows a user of theresponse device 300 unlimited entry possibilities. Other inputcapabilities, for example, voice recognition, are within the scope ofthe present invention as is well understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art.

[0029] Certain embodiments of the response device 200 have variousfeatures such as a flexible design that is easily assembled byincorporating different types of key pads or other input devices. A“send” key 270 causes the response device to transmit a user's responseover the communication system that the response device is configuredfor. A “clear” key 225 clears prior entries from the response device. Apower on/off switch activates and turns off a response device and isconfigured to interact with both battery power and AC power from anoutlet. A log-in key 220 sends a program code (entered by the user) andan identifier to the central location in order to log the user into thecomputer system at the central location—after the log-in key 220 hasbeen pressed the user is ready to respond to interactive programming.

[0030] Back lighting is a feature for displays of response devices thatallows users to better see the display in low light conditions. Functionkeys are provided that perform specialized tasks such as entering aprogram code, setting the language the response device displays,changing the power level setting to boost transmitting power, changingthe back light brightness, performing a test (such as determiningwhether the response device is communicating with the appropriatecommunication system), and other special functions.

[0031] Other features include an indicator, such as a light emittingdiode array, that indicates whether the response device is within rangeof the communication system. This feature is especially useful forresponse devices that send and receive information over wirelesscommunication systems. Another indicator lets a user know when theresponse device has received information that the user may wish to view.

[0032] Other embodiments of the response device include an indicatorthat alerts the user regarding appropriate connection to a telephoneline, i.e., whether 48 volts is present or not. A busy indicator informsthe user when the telephone line is busy, and prevents the responsedevice from dialing. Software on the response device is configured toreceive downloads when the log-in key 220 is pressed and the user islogged in to the central location.

[0033] Input capabilities on response devices are varied according tothe needs/desires of the presenter and the audience. For a very largeaudience, or a young audience, a more limited response capability makesthe incoming data more uniform and manageable for the presenter. For asmall audience, or for complex presentations, a fuller responsecapability gives flexibility to the audience and to the presenterregarding the types of audience responses that the presenter canaddress.

[0034] Although the present invention has been described with severalembodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. For example, a user response device 100 maycommunicate over an internet protocol network utilizing emergingwireless technologies, such as broadband communication via satellite. Auser inputs the correct address for the central location into theresponse device 100 to enable the internet protocol network to interfacewith and double as a communications network for sending responses to thecentral location. Utilization of internet protocol networks enables thepresent invention to be employed in a more diverse area, i.e., wheretwo-way paging systems and other telecommunications networks do notreach. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changesand modifications that follow within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic response device for interactivelyresponding to programming without connecting to a computer networkcomprising: a user input mechanism; a central processing unit (CPU)capable of electronic communications with said CPU; a power source; anda transmitter connected to the CPU.
 2. The electronic response deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: the input mechanism comprises a key pad;the transmitter comprises a two-way paging device; and the communicationsystem comprises a two-way paging system.
 3. The electronic responsedevice according to claim 1, wherein: the input mechanism comprises akey pad; the transmitter is configured to send a data burst overstandard telephone lines; and the communication system comprises a plainold telephone system.
 4. The electronic response device according toclaim 1, wherein: the input mechanism comprises a key pad; thetransmitter is configured to call various telephone numbers; and thecommunication system comprises a plain old telephone system.
 5. Theelectronic response device according to claim 1, wherein: the inputmechanism comprises a key pad; the transmitter comprises a wirelessinternet protocol device; and the communication system comprises aninternet protocol system.
 6. The electronic response device according toclaim 5, wherein: the internet protocol system further communicates witha telecommunications system.
 7. The electronic response device accordingto claim 1, further comprising: an indicator for indicating theconnection status of the electronic response device to a communicationsystem.
 8. A system for providing feedback to programming, comprising: abroadcasting device at a central location; at least one response deviceremotely located from the central location configured to receive inputfrom a user and configured to transmit at least the user's inputassociated with an identifier over a communication system to the centrallocation; a computer system at the central location configured totransmit the user input to a broadcaster; and a display located at thecentral location capable of receiving data from the computer system. 9.The system according to claim 8, wherein: user input is transmitted overthe communication system as the programming is created; and the userinput is displayed to the broadcaster while the programming is beingcreated.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein: the communicationsystem comprises a two-way paging system; and the at least a responsedevice is further configured to receive data from the central locationvia the two-way paging system.
 11. The system according to claim 8,wherein: the programming comprises multiple programs; each program isassociated with a program code; the at least a response device isfurther configured to transmit a program code in association with theuser input; and the computer system is further configured to direct userinput to the program that the user input is responding to based upon theprogram code associated with the user input.
 12. A method for providinglive feedback to an originator of interactive programming, comprisingthe steps of: transmitting the interactive programming to a recipient;providing feedback from a recipient inputting data into an input device;receiving feedback related to the interactive programming via atelephony system in real time; processing the feedback; and transmittingthe feedback to the originator of the interactive programming fordisplay.